Special Education

The Office of Special Services is responsible for the state’s oversight and support for the delivery of all special education services provided in Maine under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This includes early intervention services to eligible children age birth to under age three and their families, provided under IDEA, Part C, and Free Appropriate Public Education to eligible children age three to 20, provided under IDEA, Part B. The Office of Special Services is also responsible for meeting the state’s responsibilities under IDEA.

The Office of Special Services also works to guarantee that the State’s Performance Plan is effectively implemented by means of policies and procedures that ensure that:

the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such children are protected

educators and parents have the necessary tools to access research-based educational tools that support the teaching of children with disabilities

all educational personnel who teach children with disabilities are qualified to do so and are supported with ongoing professional development

technical assistance and dissemination of information by the Department are coordinated and timely

technology, data and media services that support the Department’s Office of Special Services are coordinated, maintained and current.